1 SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 



CHARLES C. LEE 



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COFH^ICHT DEPOSm 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 

AND 
OTHER VERSES 



By 
CHARLES C. LEE 



CHARLESTON, ILLINOIS 



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Copyright, 1922 \^ 

By Charles C. Lee 



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Illustrations by 

Paul T. Sargent 

Charleston, 111. 



i^UG 2b 1922 

©)CI,A6S3267 



To 

My wife, Katherine C. Lee 



CONTENTS 

Page 

The Ambraw 13 

Chieftain and Bride 18 

Whippooi'will 24 

Our Native Land 26 

The Ice King 29 

The Jungles 35 

Poets Say 38 

On To The South 41 

Sunshine and Snow 43 

Childhood and Age 45 

The Lost Cup 47 

Ingratitude 49 

The Muse 51 

Wives 53 

Husbands 56 

Forest and Glen 59 

The Big Wind 63 

The Race 67 

Come Over 70 

Flowers 71 

The Fugitive 73 

Littleness 75 

No One Ready 77 



CONTENTS 

Page 

The Dreamer 79 

My Sweetheart 80 

The Prude 82 

Reveille 85 

The Juror 87 

The Joiner 92 

The Reception 94 

Music 97 

Made Over 99 

The U. S. A. In 1917 ...... 102 

The Bumble Bee 104 

The Gossips 109 

In the Back Seat Ill 

The Corn Belt 113 

Shucking Time 115 

Playing Lady 119 

The Reply , . 120 

The Fairy 122 

The Old Bell Cow ' 124 

The Old Cook Stove 128 

Little Caper . 129 

Charles Edward 132 

The Fiddler 135 

Three Little Girls 137 



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HY travel abroad in style and state 
To stand in line at a foreign gate, 

In search of a place where beauty abides, 
Where the silver waves of the rivers glide 

O'er sands of gold, to the ocean tide? 

HERE, God has painted the hly as fair. 
As those that unfold in the foreign air. 

The grass grows green as South Sea isles, 
The waters sparkle and the rivers smile 

— Distant Lands should not beguile. 



SONGS OF THE AMBKAW 



THE AMBRAW 

HPHE bold voyageur with his magical oar 
On the streams of the west which he 

came to explore, 
If living, would grieve for the forests 

he knew, 
Flash of the paddles and glide of 

canoe. 
His spirit, as the voice of one long at 

rest. 
On the wind whispers back from the mys- 
tical past. 
And tells of a christening, in darkness 

and night: 
"Ambraw! the swift water, is out in its 

might." 



SONGS OF T HE AMBIIAW 

THE AMBRAW (Continued) 

This river comes forth from a lonely abode, 
The pools and lagoons of a long vanished 
lake, 
Adorned and bedecked in Nature's bright 
robe, 
With flowers whose tints no other can 
make. 
They grace and enrich, by her touch and 
caress, 
The beauty she gave to her own first love, 
Where the bright purple flag and the blue 

stem grass, 
Nod in the winds to the clouds far above. 



14 



AND OTHER VERSES 

THE AMBRAW (Continued) 

In greatness and grandeur its hills stand in 

pride, 
In serrated order, as the Cossack may ride; 
Their portals are open, the valley full wide. 
For the rush of wild waters — a turbulent 

tide. 
Behind this dark border of battlements high 
Through sunshine and storm still patiently 

lie, 
At the foot of the hills, the marl and the 

clay, 
Broken and scarred, as the years pass away. 



15 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 

THE AMBRAW (Continued) 

Down through the valley, as flows the Blue 
Nile, 
It races and runs like a wild horse at play. 
Or lingers and loiters, as a maid to beguile, 

And wanders abroad in bayou and bay. 
It lies silver and bright beneath the full 

moon, 
Hears the call of wild geese, the cry of the 

loon. 
The echoing hoot of the owl in his tree, 
As it passes the hills flowing on to the 
sea. 



16 



AND OTHER VERSES 



THE AMBRAW (Continued) 

The soil in its borders is rich as red wine, 
Where once roved the bison, the panther 
and deer; 

'Tis the realm of the corn, the fields of 
the kine, 

As Egypt of old when famine drew near. 

While it carries the waters of snows and of 
rain, 

Its lands will provide for the dwellers 
therein. 

From the fruits of the farm and the bounti- 
ful grain 

Of the rolling green hills and the wide fer- 
tile plain. 



17 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 



CHIEFTAIN AND BRIDE 

TN the days when the Indians lived 
-^ down 
On the banks of the creek in the 

good hunting ground, 
The Kickapoo came from the western 

land 
To mingle its waters with the Ambraw, 

so grand, 
When in flood she comes down with 

loud muddy tide, 
All over the valley her waters spread 

wide. 
As if the whole world in her anger 

she'd hide. 
Rolling on ! Ever on ! Not a moment 

she stays. 
The driftwood she carries rocks up 

on the waves, 
Passing on! Ever on! Like unwilling 

slaves ; 
No galley they row, they handle no 

oar, 
As if chained to their task, come 

not ashore. 



18 



AND OTHER VERSES 

CHIEFTAIN AND BRIDE (Continued) 

Running Horse came to this fast ris- 
ing tide, 
He came from the east and brought his 

young bride; 
They stood on a bluff of this wild 

muddy stream, 
The sun was fast sinking, wild waters 

between 
Them and the home he had promised his 

queen. 
The clouds were banked high, in red and 

dark blue, 
As kissed by the sun in its final adieu. 
The night wind first whispered a sweet 

gentle sigh 
In the top of the timber, was flying 

quite high ; 
Then whistled and moaned, in angry roar 
Beat up the waves on sand-bar and shore. 



19 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 

CHIEFTAIN AND BRIDE (Continued) 

He was the young Chief of his fast fail- 
ing tribe, 

Strong in his manhood and filled with 
his pride; 

As he stood on the bluff by the side of 
his bride, 

His eyes roved the water — a fast rising 
tide. 

The storm beat upon them — winter's cold 
blast, 

No shelter was there, where they could 
find rest, 

The wind growing louder, at black night's 
behest. 

They had traveled too far to retreat in 
the cold 

— She gazed up in wonder, his look was so 
bold. 

Yet, no plan he offered, did no method 
unfold. 

To cross this wide river to the camp- 
fire of old, 

Of which he had told her— The Wild Turtle 
Dove. 



20 



AND OTHER VERS ES 



CHIEFTAIN AND BRIDE (Continued) 

Quickly he sensed her wonder and faith, 
Folded her to him, looked on her dark 

face, 
Resolved in his heart whatever might 

come 
He would ferry her over to the camp-fire 

of home. 
Remembering the canoe hid up in the bend, 
He looked at his bride, then the waters 

again ; 
Told her of his love, how in great pride, 
His people were waiting on the far Western 

side 
To welcome them home — the Chief and his 

Bride. 
Asked, if she had courage to ride the swift 

tide, 
If he paddled the canoe to the land of his 

tribe? 
She remembered her people, her lineage too ; 
Murmured she gladly would ride the canoe. 



21 



SONGS OF THE A MBRAW 

CHIEFTAIN AND BRIDE (Continued) 

They soon were afloat on the treacherous 
stream, 

Night had come down ; the light ning did 
gleam, 

Casting weird shadows, like a ghastly- 
screen ; 

Mingling with drift, with timber and brush, 

Baffling his sight, as the paddle he thrust. 

To steer this frail craft through darkness 
and night. 

Stem the wild current in its madness and 
flight. 

Trees of the forest on the water did ride, 

Like phantoms and witches, a lost soul be- 
stride ; 

Could this rolling canoe, from the log of a 
tree, 

Live out this wild ride, the shore would it 
see? 



22 



A^ND OTHER V ERSES 

CHIEFTAIN AND BRIDE (Continued) 

With the courage and sinew of a warrior's 

race, 
This battle for life, he this danger did 

face. 
He bent all the skill of a water-man's 

pride, 
The canoe to hold straight, this dugout 

to guide. 
He is winning the goal, by inches and feet. 
As a thoroughbred wins when another he 

meets 
— Has reached still waters where willows 

grow tall, 
Where the pawpaw turns yellow in early fall. 
Across the backwater in safety they glide. 
To the light of the fire, the home of the 

tribe. 
Who dance a wild greeting to Chieftain and 

Bride. 



23 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 



Y 



WHIPPOORWILL 

OU can hear the Whippoorwill 

From the lowly place he's sought, 
As he whistles in the evening 

The call he has been taught 
By that Teacher, of all teachers, 

Who knows our every thought. 
And tells us by His creatures 

When the seasons change about. 

They are wise from Nature's schooling, 

By their instinct they can sense 
When the lovely Spring is coming 

With flowers and sweet incense ; 
How she will in great profusion 

Clothe the hills and vales, 
In a radiance of beauty 

With verdure and with vines. 



24 



AND OTHE R V ERSES 

WHIPPOORWILL (Continued) 

And .sprinkle in among them 

The flowerlets divine. 
With blue grass for a canvas 

A landscape will unfold 
That is equaled by no artist 

Though he dip his brush in gold, 
And mingle in his painting 

All the colors that he knows. 

He cannot paint a hillside, 

A waterfall or rill, 
He cannot do a sunset, 

A palace on a hill, 
That will hold you for a moment 

Like the picture Nature spills, 
All in her loving kindness 

Along the Ambraw hills. 



25 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 



OUR NATIVE LAND 

"Lives there a man, with soul so dead. 
Who never to himself hath said — 
This is my own. my native land I" 

Sir Walter Scott. 

ET us tr>' to tell you 
' In a farmer kind of way, 
The story that she tells us 

As we see her day by day; 
The beauty of her upland, 

The rugged hills and shore, 
About the fertile com lands, 

Of trees and moss galore. 



26 



AND OTHER VERSES 

OUR NATIVE LAND i Continued) 

The little nooks in woodland 

Where the ferns and harebells grow. 
The daisies and buttercups 

In the blue grass setting low ; 
Sweet Williams and the golden rod. 

And so many friends we know. 
Like the redbud and the dogwood. 

The crab tree when in blow. 

This is a land of beauty 

Like an Eastern fairy tale. 
It is second unto Eden 

And excels fair Cashmere's Vale. 
But we know you can not see it. 

That our words do not avail. 
You will have to come and live it 

And get it in your blood. 
Then, you'll love lier in the summer 

And in the winter's flood. 



SONGS OF THE AMB RAW 

OUR NATIVE LAND (Continued) 

When you drink the waters, 

Its gravel and its grit 
Will hold you to these borders 

And this land you'll never quit; 
Until Time shall call you higher, 

When the hour glass and sand 
With their slow and certain measure 

Shall have measured out your span. 
And it's written on your monument, 

"Gone to a better land." 

Then some Native reading 

The words thus said of you, 
Will firmly take his stand 

And state unto his neighbor 

"There is no better land, 
Than the land along the river, 

It is made of silt and sand, 
We always have a harvest 

Our crops are always grand." 



28 



AND OTHER VERSES 



THE ICE KING 

nPHE Ice King sat on his crystal throne 
-*• At the top of his highest berg 

And called his captains to hear his word 

Of command — to man his Icy Fleet 
For a sail to the south and a warmer clime, 

Free from the frost and sleet 
Of their Northern home, that chilled the 

bone, 
The heart in its pulse and beat. 

They shivered and shook their icicle beards 
And answered, "Aye Sire! We will set the 
sail 

For the bitter gale and the driving hail ; 

Bid the region we have known so long. 
Its blizzard blast with mournful song. 
The dreary dark and endless nights 
A lasting, final, full farewell. 

And with thee sail where'er you will." 



29 



SONGS OF THE AMB RAW 

THE ICE KING (Continued) 

On the highest peak the King on his seat 

Gazed forth for thousands of miles, 
His eyes, that could see as far as the light. 

Were cold as his lofty spires ; 
His searching sight from left to right 

Explored the land he would take, 
While his mighty ships with stone and drift 

Were filling the rivers and lakes. 

With ceaseless force on his crushing course 
« He came to an unknown land. 

Where primitive man had never been 

And the wild beast had his lair; 
The skies above like seas of love — 

No mountain or hill was near — 
The face of the land an Elysian dream 

To the crew of the snow, and their King. 



30 



AND OTHER VERSES 

THE ICE KING (Continued) 

He anchored his flashing fleet of bergs 

On the edge of this level plain, 
Turned on his throne and cursed 

The north, its frost and frozen rain ; 
Swore by his fear of Northern gods 

By the ice that filled his mane, 
So long as he lived he would never return 

To the land from whence he came. 

But, the sun came north from Capricorn, 
The life and light of every zone. 

Turned on this King and his crystal throne. 
On his glittering glacial spires 
The heat of a million fires ; 

'Till the waters they held in icy bond 
Ran like a river on mountain found, 
As they race to a foreign shore. 



31 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 



THE ICE KING (Continued) 

These waters o'erflowed this pleasant 
plain, 

Tore and gashed its peaceful form, 
Dug through its fertile virgin soil 
The way for a river deep and wide ; 

Built the hills its course to guide, 

Through them cut the dells and vales, 
With mighty sweep as ocean tide 

Terraced the ridges and smoothed each 
side. 

After thousands of years, the Redman 

roamed 
The forest and valleys, this river his 

home, 
No spirit of its waters, or sprite of its 

trees, 
A name for this river and country could 

give; 
When it was mentioned in reverence or 

prayer. 

No name came forth its beauty could bear. 
It was described, by the hand in the air, 

A Signal of Plenty, a Country so Fair. 



82 



OTHER VERSES 



AND O T H ER VERSES 



I 



THE JUNGLES 

HAVE gone through The Jungle at midnight, 
When the beasts came forth for their 
prey; 

In droves, and in pairs, and in singles, 
They were out to devour and to slay. 

Those who traveled alone had the courage, 
Were fearless and bold in the night. 

For themselves and their offspring could 
forage ; 
While the pairs would double their might. 

The drove were a pack of black cowards. 
The number, their courage behed ; 

To pursue, they must press close together, 
Feel a presence and touch at the side. 

I could feel all the stealth and the creeping, 
The approach, that whispers of death; 

The snap of the twigs in their breaking, 
A struggle, a gasp, for a breath. 



35 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 

THE JUNGLES (Continued) 

Then borne on the winds from the distance 
Came a clatter of hoof beats in fear, 

A shadow flits by through the darkness 
And gone is the fleet footed deer. 

There is noise and sound of the night hfe, 
The growl of the brute in his lair; 

Cries, that cut, and that stab, like a knife, 
'Tis the blood thirst, — death and despair. 

I have gone through the city at midnight. 
Have seen the bright lights from afar; 

The glare, that allures and delights. 

Those who linger in pleasure when there. 

It glows and reflects in the sky. 

As a cloud from a cauldron of fire; 

As if anger and vengeance drew nigh, 
To smite, as a god in his ire. 



36 



AND OTHER VERSES 



THE JUNGLES (Continued) 

In the muck, the damp and the blackness, 
Where the streets are stained with crime 

The light turns red in the darkness, 
Because, of the evil designed. 

It's the drove and the pack, as in Jungle, 
Who gang through the Streets in the 
night ; 

The crafty and sly, who commingle. 
And prey upon thrift in the light. 

I turned from The Jungle and City, 

To the homes, the fields and the woods; 

Where He who looks down in His pity. 
Is known, and His word understood. 

Where the sunlight falls on the door step 
And the children play in the grass; 

Where the moon comes over the tree top. 
And flowers, in their season troop past. 



87 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 



POETS SAY 

>OETS have told in their matchless 
way 

The endless things they have to say; 

The beauties of earth, the clouds and 
sky, 

The flowers they saw in passing by, 

Of lakes and streams they were grow- 
ing nigh. 

They have portrayed the shady dell, 
The soft blue grass where shadows 

fell, 
The shade of the maple and elm tree, 
'Neath which they lay and looked a- 

bove 
At the blue of the sky with joy and 

love. 



38 



AND OTHER VERSES 

POETS SAY (Continued) 

They tell of the rivers, they tell of the 

streams 
With their gauze of light and radiant 

sheen ; 
They describe the forest in its beautiful 

green, 
The orchards they crown like an ancient 

queen 
With garlands so rare and seldom seen. 

I have followed the streams 

Where they flowed away, 
Safely hid in their banks so gay. 

Where the cottonwood and sycamore 
sway 
And the willow thickets come to stay. 



39 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 



POETS SAY (Continued) 

Many a bank I did find 

With water-moccasins sleeping fine. 
Basking there in the bright sunshine, 

Ready to sHde with noiseless glide 
Into the waiting silver tide. 

The poet who sees but beautiful fields 
Covered o'er with endless green, 

Views of gorgeous hue and elegant scene, 
Rivers and lakes in silver sheen, 

The nooks and corners, has never seen. 

The poet is right, his conduct grand, 
The prose of life no muse can stand ; 

It is left for us who have no wings, 
On the ground must stay. 

Can not soar and sing. 



40 



AMD OTHER VERSES 



ON TO THE SOUTH 

THE winds of the north cut like a knife, 
Their voice a cry and weird moan, 
As they twist and turn in their strife 
And whine hke a ball from rifle gun ; 
Snap and snarl in the traveler's face. 
Bare their teeth as onward they race 
Into the South to spend their force 
— On to a final resting place. 

Fly by the side of the lighted train 
Fan the fire of the engine flame, 

As into the night it flees on its way 

Pursued by this wrath of northern day ; 
Fast to the South, a twinkling light, 
As soul pursued, in its bitter night, 

On to the South in endless flight. 



41 



SONGS OF THE AM BRAW 

ON TO THE SOUTH (Continued) 

It makes complaint of the burden it bears 
With creak and groan of rattling cars 
To the frosty steel, o'er and o'er, 
Who answer back, clickety clack! 
clickety clack! 
On to the South with its human freight 
For a haven of rest before too late 
— As we to Peter, beside the gate. 

Its fire with sulphuric smell 

Coaled and stoked tended well, 

To boil the witches, from waters dank 
Held in the maw of its iron tank, 

Who press its sides -like infernal fiends 

— Gigantic force of imprisoned steam 
That lash this monster on its way, 
South from the North Winds cruel play. 



42 



AND OTHER VERSES 



SUNSHINE AND SNOW 

A CITY whose parks in the sunshine 
■^^ Are gems in her teeming life, 
Whose buildings greet the skyline 

And the cloudlets floating by, 
Crowns the hills of a mighty river, 

On whose ever restless tide 
Rolls the sternwheel of the packet, 
And the stately steamers ride. 

The sweep of the tawny waters 

From mountain lake and stream, 
The curve and bend of the river 

— A grand and majestic scene! 
They have done their solemn duty 

To the harvest in its yield. 
Watered the trees of the forest, 

The fruits of garden and field. 



43 



SONGS OF THE AM BRAW 

SUNSHINE AND SNOW (Continued) 

This in the Fair Southland, 

Where orange and magnoha grow. 

And only once in a life time 

The blast of the North Winds go. 

That lays on the Southern Lands 
A beautiful blanket of snow. 
Not the bitter frigid drift, 

That is spread on the frozen north. 
But eider down, a friendly frown. 
To gentle and soften the blow. 

A touch, to show the beautiful glow. 
When the sun comes out on the 
silent hills 

To mingle its rays in the river's 
mist ; 

Paint the world in delicate tints. 
Caress the top of temple and spire, 
Fill the street with flash of fire, 

— A radiant light o'er Southern Land 

Beautiful beams from the Master's hand ! 



44 



AND O T HER VERSES 







CHILDHOOD AND AGE 

, THE Childhood days of Long Ago 
That now we see in the after-glow, 

In the evening of many a pleasant year, 
We think of the past and almost hear 

The voice of those who have gone before; 
Its caressing cadence would feel once 
more, 

As a musical note of the wind in May, 
When it sighs and dies, passes away, 
Coming no more, refusing to stay; 

Though we listen and listen the livelong day. 

The vision is rare that brings to life 

Thoughts and hopes of childhood days, 
Revels again in joys and doubts. 

In fancy free, in childish shouts, 
Quickly gone from the childlike mind, 

Soaring away on the wings of time 
Buoyant with hope, in confidence rare, 

O, that Age, could in Childhood share! 



45 



SONGS OF T HE AMBRAW 

CHILDHOOD AND AGE (Continued) 

Could we have our wish or desire 
It would not be to win by toil that 

tires, 
The wealth and gain for which men 
contend, 

Nor the applause of men sought in the end. 

Let us laugh with the joy and glee 

That in Childhood came to you and me, 
Came without money, came without price, 

Thrilled us with gladness, gone in a trice. 
Coming again, unbidden and free, 
To mellow our days, as life should be. 



46 



AND OTHER VERSES 



I 



THE LOST CUP 

CAN see as in a vision 
In the twilight or the dawn, 

A farm, and a lonely cabin, 
The well, with a curb around ; 

Its sweep, a ghostly goblin, 
As it travels up and down. 

I see the gourd on the well curb, 
Where it hung and swung in the 
breeze 

Inviting all, who passed along 
To come, and rest at ease, 

And be refreshed with Adam's ale 
In the shade of the maple trees. 



47 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 



THE LOST CUP (Continued) 

We now, have the new fangled notions, 
The contraptions so nice and complete. 

The plumbing, enameled and open 
With fixtures all nickeled and neat; 

—Away, with the glistening goblet, 
In the hand of a maid, so petite. 

Could I only go back to my boyhood. 
The log house, the well with its sweep, 

And lie in the sun in the open. 
Dwell in the days that were fleet, 

Drink from a gourd when I'm thirsty, 
The servants, their crystal might keep. 

Gone are the cabin and well curb. 
Along with the sweep and the gourd. 
The comforts of life press upon me, 
When I long and thirst for a drink. 

O, how the children forget me ! 

They have taken my Cup from the sink. 



48 



AND OTHER VERSES 



INGRATITUDE 

"LTE slaved for others without hope of 
A -■- gain ; 

As mother for child will sacrifice, 

Or she wolf for whelp will make de- 
vice. 

Denied himself, for their happiness 
and gain. 

By faithful service sought to over- 
come 

Promotion's slow delay, and smooth for 
them, 

Their daily walk and way. 

His reward was conscious duty done. 
No return in kind did he expect. 
Hoping only for such gratitude, or re- 
spect. 
As might be given to a faithful beast 

of burden, 
Chafed by harness coarse and sodden. 
With sweat and dirt of toil well done 
In many days of heat and sun. 



49 



SONG S OF THE AMBRAW 

INGRATITUDE (Continued) 

'Tvvas well the philosophy of his mind 

so ran, 
Those who received the kindness of his 

heart and hand, 
As they advanced in station, wealth and 

strength, 
Or outward grace and beauty, come at 

length 
His commonplace and homely presence to 

resent. 

With bitter words and conduct rude 

Turned, to rend him through and through, 
As the jungle beast its prey will do; 
His good intent and wishes flout, 

To show on them did no obligation rest. 
They would scar, as with tooth and claw 
His spirit, as if it were flesh, to be 

made bleeding raw; 
To grow, if it would again, with whitened 

seams, 
Mute evidence of his destroyed dreams. 



50 



AND OTHE R V ERSES 

INGRATITUDE (Continued) 

Flesh will grow and knit again, 

But a kindly spirit torn and rent, 
By Ingratitude scorched and burnt 

Ne'er heals; but glows red 
With the heat of shame and dread: 
Humiliated, struggles to forget 

The stabs and thrusts inflicted 
without regret, 
By recipients of former kindness — to 

pay the debt. 
And if he prays, will ask for strength, 
Will say, "They know not what they do, 
Some error I must have made 

To be tortured, shamed and treated so." 



51 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 



I 



THE MUSE 

F I were only a poet 

And knew I could prove it, 
With words I'd abuse 

The sullen old Muse. 

She is a fickle old jade 

Who will balk in the shade ; 

Her favor withhold 

P'rom the young or the old. 

She will brush off her pants, 

Sit down for a rest 
And there she may stay, 

Though I beg her my best. 



52 



AND OTHER VERSES 



T 



WIVES 

iHE Wives of men are the salt of the 

earth, 
To help and encourage in sorrow or 

mirth, 
They work and toil in youth or age. 
In wisdom excel the ancient sage. 

They are fairer than lilies, better 

by far. 
For they toil and spin, are busy each 

hour; 
To please they give their endless care 
And fill your life, as an incense rare. 

They steady the gait of the runaway 
And keep him at work instead of play ; 
Flatter and fool, cajole him along, 
Make him feel big and think he is 
strong. 



53 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 

WIVES (Continued) 

When he's down and out, his ego all 

gone, 
When he knows he is weak, is seeking 

the strong, 
He turns to his Wife, in penitence 

rare, 
For her love and help, her kindly care. 

She tells him how big and strong he 

is, 
That all of the courage in life is his ; 
To go back in the game and fight it 

through, 
If he can not win, it's a great 

howdy-do ! 

She knows he's a child and treats him 

so. 
Often is tired of his brag and blow ; 
But to manage and drive, direct him 

on, 
Is her lot in life — the job she is on. 



54 



AND OTHER VE RSES 

WIVES (Continued) 

She must keep him up for appearance 

sake, 
Or people will know she made a mistake ; 
There are others, with husbands, too, 
So, she must the while, keep bragging 

on you. 

If she should tell and the neighbors 

find out 
The meanness you do when no one's 

about, 
You would be ruined, your standing 

gone; 
So, when you go out you must take her 

along 
And be the poor tune, of her wonderful 

song. 



55 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAVV 



HUSBANDS 

nnHE poor old husband a burden must 
■^ bear, 

His days are filled with endless 
care, 

He labors and toils that others may 

fare 
In fashion and style, — fine clothes 

may wear; 
To show them off is pulled here and 

there, 
To parties and functions every where. 

Like a dog of the boy, — a collar must 
wear, 

With rope tied fast to haul and tear ; 
His neck is stretched, his toes hold 
fast 

When he balks and slides on walk or 
grass. 

He mourns the days that are gone and 

past. 
When in freedom he roamed, — in the 

night went fast. 



.56 



AND OTHER VER SES 

HUSBANDS (Continued) 

As the dog to the boy, so husband 

to wife, 
To "sic' on the others, her foil 

through life. 
He the collar must wear, she the 

lily will be; 
Neither toil nor spin, but happy 

and free. 
Like goods on the shelf he is shoved 

about. 
That madam may pose, — her clothes 

try out. 

There are days when the dog he would 

gladly be. 
Would break from the boy, run wild 

and free, 
Or hide away in the break of the cane 
Safe from the tyrant, from collar and 

chain ; 
Would seek his own fun in his own good 

way, 
Free from the boss with the endless say. 



57 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 

HUSBANDS (Continued) 

When F'ourth of July comes drift- 
ing 'round, 

With crackers and noise of end- 
less sound, 

He sighs for the days he used to 
know, 

— Was then his own boss, could come 
and go, 

Wander away in this land of the 
free, 

Happy and glad as a man should be. 

When he rebels and curses his fate, 

The conventions of life say 
O, It's too late ! 

You are bound and tied as Mazeppa 
of old; 

Not on a horse frantic and wild. 

But fast to the apron string, as 
a child. 



58 



AND OTHER VERSES 



FOREST AND GLEN 

A LONG with the elves of the Goblin Lands, 
"^^ Where the elms wave and the walnut 
stands, 
There lingered a lad, who the trees be- 
guiled. 
To the timber's edge and the forest aisles, 

That curve and bend, winding away 
— Enchanting views to a boy at play! 

He roamed the tangled weedy glen, 

Where wild flowers grow and briers are 

found, 
With paths that show where creatures have 

been. 
That travel by night, in the woods abound; 
And the silent ridges, where moss grows 

green 
'Neath the ancient oak, with its gnarled 

crown. 



59 



SONGS OF THE AM BRAW 

FOREST AND GLEN (Continued) 

He heard the whispering timber sprites, 
Like a voice of the wind in a summer 
night ; 

The noise of creatures unsight, unseen, 

Weaved in and out Hke fancy's dream, 
And charmed this child of Forest and Glen 

More, than later, could the voice of men. 

He learned the ways of forest life, 
How they fought and quarreled, of their 

endless strife; 
How the weak must flee, when the strong 

came nigh, 
If caught, must perish and die. 



60 



AND OTHE R VERSES 

FOREST AND GLEN (Continued) 

Later in life in city and town, 

Where people both flatter and frown, 

This boy from Forest and Glen 
Knew the minds of various men, 

From the resemblance in them, 
To many an early wildwood friend. 

He found the lessons he learned so well, 
As he watched the denizens of forest 
and dell, 
Might well apply, as rules of the game, 

Where men contend in honor or shame, 
For place and pelf and great renown. 
Where the strong ones win, the weak 
beat down. 



61 



SONGS OF T HE AMBRAW 

FOREST AND GLEN (Continued) 

On the other hand, when we look around, 
For acts of kindness, for love profound, 

P'or self-denial, by duty bound, 

Things of the wild, birds in the trees, 

Would put us to shame, for what one sees 
Where people starve and children freeze. 

Yet, from whispering winds in tangled vines, 
From nodding flowers of shades divine, 

From all the hfe of Forest and Glen, 
The love and hope, the strife of men, 

A lesson we learn, as we travel along; 
Is the Battle of Life for only the strong? 



62 



AND OTHER VERSES 



THE BIG WIND 

'HIS is the day of socialism wide flung, 
The nations of the earth they must be 
gone, 
Like mothers, to be deserted by their 

young 
Who, seek false gods, when told they are 

strong. 
Sing of internationalism, the siren song, 
— Filled with ingratitude, forgetful 
of the past, 
Lost to what will make our freedom last ; 
So eager to comply with the passing 
fashion of the day, 
W^e would our liberty and freedom cast away. 



63 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 

THE BIG WIND (Continued) 

Who are these men of trump and drum, 
Whence and from where does their knowl- 
edge come, 
About which they prate, talk and tell, 
Of their love for mankind, their noise 
to swell? 
Who is mankind, for whom we should strive. 
Be taxed and toil, of our substance give? 
Is it our own, or for others to live; 

Is it our Country of freedom and fame 
We should keep and protect, "The land of 

the free?" 
Shall we throw it away, if we hear The Big 

Wind 
From Paris or London, or even Berlin ? 



64 



AND OTHER VERSES 

THE BIG WIND (Continued) 

What we are asking and wanting to know, 
What for so long has been troubling us so, 

Is, why this big noise about Europe and all 
Its big nations, and nations so small? 

Why should we take them like orphans to 
raise, 

Brag on ourselves, and furnish the praise, 
When they were of age, with whiskers full 
wide, 

Before Columbus came to this side? 



65 



SONGSOF THE AMBRAW 

THE BIG WIND (Continued) 

These people we are advised to adopt and 

protect, 
Have customs and habits they love and 

respect. 
Their language, their literature, their free- 
dom and rights, 
They have sought to preserve from endless 

attacks ; 
Are proud of their customs, of country and 

fame, 
Have they asked us to be guardians, to rule 

over them? 
Before we assume we are wanted by others 

so old, 
Why be forward, immodest and bold , 
Because The Big Wind, a Sirocco of Sound, 
And the mob with its yelling, our judgment 

has drowned? 



66 



AND OTHER VERSES 



THE RACE 

TN the morning of life our spirit 
■*• is bold, 

Sails high in the sky with courage 

untold ; 
Surrounded by friends, the loved 

ones we know, 
Ambition goes forth the world to 

o'er throw. 
Through youth and young manhood, to 

middle of life, 
We are restless and eager, long for 

the strife. 



67 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 



THE RACE (Continued) 

When the sun goes Westward and the 
shadows reverse, 

We are tired of the going, tired of 
the course ; 

Like a horse when in training will 
turn from the track. 

The struggle give up and refuse to 
come back. 

Our friends are all gone, our kin- 
dred all dead; 

The spirit is humble and effort we 
dread. 

The Race is all over, the Winners 

have won. 
The quitters all quit when the 

quarter was run, 
You stayed in the race and fought 

to the end, 
With muscle and nerve for the wire 

did contend. 
The finish was fast, from the flag 

it was close, 
Like a furious drive for driver and 

horse. 



08 



AND OTHER VERSES 



THE RACE (Continued) 

In The Race of life from begin- 
ning to end, 

How true you may run, how well 
you contend, 

Those who decide may see you the 
last. 

Though you go it alone, in the fin- 
ish come fast; 

Come from behind, with speed in re- 
serve. 

Or travel ahead, and come on your 
nerve. 

The fun of the game, the sport 
of the play, 

Is playing it square, what'er they 
may say. 

If you win, do not brag, as no gen- 
tleman will ; 

If you lose take your loss — be a 
gentleman still. 

He who brags and boasts, if he hap- 
pens to win 

Will welch and whine, when the gaff 
is for him. 



69 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 



I 



COME OVER 

HAVE writ 
Another little skit, 
If you'll Come Over 
I'll let you look at it. 

I know it's nothing fine 
Just some foolish sort 
of rhyme 

Made up in my mind, 
Only to pass the time. 

When time hangs on 

And the day seems long, 
As I can't fiddle, or blow 

a horn, 
I sometimes try to write a 

song. 

Of course, I can't sing, 
And yet a better thing, 

I know I can't, 

Which some folks don't, 

Who make a noise in their 
throat. 



70 



AND OTHER VERSES 



I 



FLOWERS 

LOVE the delicate tint of the rose 

In the early morn 
With the dew on her crown, 
Her head held high to the breeze that 

comes, 
To which she nods, up and down, 
Like the queen she is of the Flowers 

around. 

She blooms and blushes in stately 

grace ; 
Her breath perfumes the garden place, 
Invites us to call and linger a while 
To see her beauty, her tender smile, 
Enjoy her fragrance sweet and rare 
Forget our troubles and every care. 



71 



SONGS OF THE AM BRAW 

FLOWERS (Continued) 

While standing there I looked about; 
The blue Verbenas in modest doubt, 
Old-fashioned Zinnias straight and tall 
Touch-me-nots along the wall, 
The Gladiolus of majestic mien, 
With other friends I had often seen. 

Along the border, like stripes in the 

flag, 
Red with life and flaming light 
Of Northern Fire when it leaps in the 

night. 
Stood the Geraniums a challenge to all; 
Scarlet crests on emerald green, 
A streak of flame, in a floral dream ! 



72 



AND OTHER VERSES 



I 



THE FUGITIVE 

N fear for his life, in the midnight hush, 
He saddled and bridled beneath the stars, 

A horse of endurance, speed and brush, 
Whose eyes were bright as the light from 
Mars. 

Rags on his hoofs to deaden the sound. 
Hand on his nose to stifle a neigh ; 

The turf is reached on frozen ground, 
The rider is up, off and away. 

Ridden far out over neck and mane, 

A horse runs free in his own good way; 

Going a gait he will long maintain, 

Fast through the dark, as coming day. 



73 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 



THE FUGITIVE (Continued) 

On through the night, as the plain sped by, 
Hitting the sod with touch and go; 

Was the goal he sought drawing nigh, 
As rider and horse rock to and fro? 

A guilty thought is a brave man's foe. 
And the guilty flee when none pursue ; 

Wrong that is done is grief and woe 

— Ride with Duty, when the dawn is new. 

Travel as far as the distant star, 
Flee as swift as a ray of light. 

The thought in the mind is always there ; 
And Wrong pursues by day and night. 



74 



AND OTHER VERSES 



I 



LITTLENESS 

N the glory of the morning 

With the sun so bright and glad, 
When the church had been attended, 

The prayers had all been said. 
And the hearts of all the people 

Should rejoice and be glad; 
There were those who dwelt among us 

'Tis regretful to relate, 
Who were out of sorts with Nature 

And by some decree of fate, 
In a bad perverse condition 

That suggested thoughts of hate. 

It was not that they were bitter 

At their present state of life, 
Were fearful in the struggle 

Or, had weakened in the strife ; 
They seemed to be so little 

And their eyes so dim of sight. 
They failed to see the grandeur 

Of a world so good and bright. 
It may be they had prospered 

From a worldly point of view. 
And their hearts had slowly hardened 

With their gear so nice and new. 



75 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 

LITTLENESS (Continued) 

Such people need some treatment 

Of a harsh and violent kind, 
To cure them of their meanness, 

And loosen up their minds 
To the beauties all around them. 

And the rights of all mankind. 
They may meet with some disaster 

That will teach them out of hand, 
The beauties of Dame Nature 

And the glory of the land, 
Are all a gracious favor 

Of Him, Who doth command. 

All the lovely mornings 

Days both dark and drear, 
All the brilliant flowers, 

The ugly weeds and tares ; 
The cool and shady bowers 

And noonday's steady glare, 
Are the gifts of a Higher Power 

In this life we have to share. 
And in common with each other 

We should love and learn to bear. 



76 



AND OTHER VERSES 



I 



NO ONE READY 

HEAR them sing of the Pearly 
Gates, 

Of the Gates that stand ajar. 
I ask my neighbor what he thought, 

As he stood and looked afar? 
He said he lived in Texas a year 

And then to Kansas went, 
Moved around from timber to town 

'Till his money all was spent; 
In Illinois would now be found, 

Unless they raised the rent. 

I hear them sing of the Jasper 

Walls, 
Of the streets that are paved with 

gold, 
I ask the traveler where he was bound 
If he could enter the Fold? 
He said he'd lived in Arctic cold, 
Had chills in Southern land. 

Found this world hard and rough. 
Had braved the desert sand ; 

While Illinois was bad enough, 
The climate he could stand. 



SONGS OF THE AM BRAW 

NO ONE READY (Continued) 

I hear them sing of the Golden Harp. 

The harp of a thousand strings. 
I ask the ancient old and lame, 

As he tottered along on his crooked 
cane, 
What he thought of this heavenly strain? 
He said he oft' could hear a sweet refrain 
And feel the touch of an angel's wing, 
But had lived so long in the world we know, 
For so many years gone to and fro, 
While he had no fear, was loth to go. 

It looks to me, from what I see. 

And what I hear them say. 
While we all can agree 

That Pearly Gates and Jasper Walls, 
The Streets all Paved with Gold 

And the harp of a thousand strings. 
Will be beautiful things, 

Nice and fine in that Better Clime, 
And we love to think of it so, 

Yet no one seems at the present time. 
To be up and ready to go. 



78 



AND OTHER VERSES 



THE DREAMER 

ET me dream, in the shade of a white oak, 
* As I did in the Long Ago ; 
Of a road, that leads to the Westward, 
To a place we do not know. 

Let me sit in the fading sunlight. 
Filled with hope and a firm desire, 

To adventure and travel onward, 
And meet what may transpire. 

I have traveled far, in a boy's dream, 
In the time of my fleeting years ; 

On the Sunset side, in fading light. 
The end of the road appears. 

As I come to the journey's end 
May I dream of a future day, 

When The Dreamer may rest forever 
At the end of his Westward way. 



7d 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 



Y 



MY SWEETHEART 

OU say she is looking old ? 

That is never so to me, 
When I gaze upon her 

The only look I see 
Is the one she wore so sweetly 

When she went to church with me. 

She is always young and cheerful. 
Gay and happy all the while, 

As the day when I was fearful 
When together down the aisle 

We stepped along so slowly, 
And neither wore a smile. 



80 



AND OTHER VERSES 



MY SWEETHEART (Continued) 

It may be I am aging, 

That I can't deny, you know, 
My hair I find is graying, 

And my step is rather slow; 
But with her this cannot be. 

Because she is my Sweetheart, 
As any one can see. 

Age is neither here nor there, 
We have gone along together 

Traveled that way everywhere; 
It makes no difference to us, 

The color of our hair, 

So long as we're together 

>^ '- ' each knows the other's there. 



81 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 



THE PRUDE 

'HE artist may strive 

With his talent and brush, 

The poet may sing 

With the voice of a thrush, 

But if nature steps forth 
On the canvas in view, 

Or the words tell a story 
That plainly is true, 

The Prude will be shocked 
And the air she turns blue; 

The scowl on her face 
Will be yellow in hue. 



82 



AND OTHER VERSES 

THE PRUDE (Continued) 

When darkness deposes the light 

She can think her thoughts 

And not take fright; 
When the day is gone 
And she sits in the night, 

What her prudery feared, 

May indeed look right. 

When a star comes out 

With its diamond ray. 
Beside the modest Milky Way, 

And the beams of the moon 

Are having their play, 

Then life that lives 
Can not stop or stay. 



83 



SONGS OF T HE AMBRAW 

THE PRUDE (Continued) 

Like the sands of the dune 

That move in the night, 
When the winds come down 

From the Northern Light, 
— Then is no time for a pru- 
dish frown, 
For the day has gone 

And the night is down. 



84 



AND OTHER VERSES 



REVEILLE 

'T'HE legions of night are stealing away, 
■*" From the east where the red banners flare 
In the sky to signal the birth of a day, 
And blend with the purple and blue of the 
air, 
As the darkness fades out and away. 

Over hills, where the forest crowns them 
with green, 
Where the rivers come down on their way 
to the sea. 
Flash the guns of the morn, — a Grand Re- 
veille — 
A sign, that recalls to the children of men, 
Creation's first dawn, when Time first began. 



85 



SONGS OF THE AM BRAW 

REVEILLE (Continued) 

The robin, whose heart has tinted his breast, 
His cry, a thanksgiving for safety and 
rest, 
The thrush, whose notes by the angels were 
blessed. 
The red-bird, whose song is a lyrical lay. 
Sing with delight at the coming of day. 

Arise from your slumber, and bow to this 
Queen, 

Her splendor it calls and beckons to you ; 
Look forth to the sky and old Mother earth. 

The coming of day is a glorious birth 
Of beauty and fortune for you. 



86 



AND THER VERSES 



THE JUROR 

TF Nature's power is calm and still, 
As we sit in peace to drink our fill 
Of ease and rest in the Fall of the 

year, 
What man has done may interfere. 
Laws he has passed or failed to make, 
Things he has done, would undertake, 
To cheat his neighbor, the peace to 

break. 
Disturb our dream, and we're wide 

awake. 

Circuit Court comes in the fall. 

Judge and jury, lawyers and all, 
At the court house, in the shire town, 
Our turn on the jury has come around. 
I look for the gown, the wool sack, too 
— The Judge's coat is a navy blue, 
His desk and chair a shiny brown, 
And wear the name of a Michigan town. 



87 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 

THE JUROR (Continued) 

The judge in the kindest sort of way 

Asked each and all what they had to say 

As a reason why they should not stay. 
One man said, he was all alone, 

He had no wife, of kindred none, 

But a great big farm that must be run. 

Another said he had children ten 

And the stork was flying around again. 

The cases were called for trial ; 

The first one named was Mutt vs. Wile. 

A little lawyer with a whittled off 
voice 
Said, Mutt was his client, as of choice. 
Another, who looked wise like an owl, 

His tone, a doleful hollow growl. 
Announced, he was ready to begin 

Soon as the jury were called in. 



88 



N~^ OTHER V E R^ E S 



THE JUROR (Continued) 

An other case was called by the court ; 

A bustling barrister began to cavort, 
Said he was busy in every way 

— An important trial for each day, 
Was sought and needed everywhere, 

In Chicago, Cairo, here and there; 
But if the Court would set it down 

He thought in the end he'd get around. 

A sohcitor with fearful frown 

Who was not to be out done. 
Stated his cases he would try 

Only his vacation was drawing 
nigh. 
He had suits at law, in equity too. 

In foreign states both old and new 
With clients jumping into view 

In every town that he passed through. 



89 



SONGS OF T HE AMBRAW 

THE JUROR (Continued) 

The time arrived to motions make, 
To move the court, to orders take ; 

One a continuance must have 
His client's health and cause to 
save. 

One with meek retreating chin 

Besought the court, with sickly grin 
To an order made and let him in 

— His client was poor and out of tin. 

So the work went on and 'round 
The quips were passed on friendly- 
ground, 
As each stood, or sat, as he thought 

best. 
Told his tale with solemn mien or ready 

jest. 
The Goddess is blind! happy day! 

Better be deaf, some would say. 
While lawyers strive, with words contend, 
Justice for all, is sought in the end. 



90 



AND OTHER VERSES 

THE JUROR (Continued) 

Then through this vaulted room 

Where Justice held full sway, 
There passed the shades of those 

Who here held forth in former day ; 
Recalled the name, the spectral form, 

Of many known to earth and fame, 
Who by their grace and courtly charm 

Received much praise and just acclaim. 

They seem to halt and for a moment stand 

Before the court, as if at his command, 
In silent reverence bow unto the law; 

We look again, in doubt of wiiat we saw. 
Was it a dream of the Used-to-be, 

Or what we think it may have been, 
Or the magical spell of the spirit of men, 

Of those who have lived and gained 
renown ? 



91 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 



THE JOINER 

/COOPERATE, combine and conspire, 
^ Is the cry in the street and 
the press ; 
To procure your wish and desire, 
Stand still and depend on the 
rest. 

For your life, do not do for your- 
self, 

It would be a disgrace and a shame. 

Would you act boldly and strive for 
relief, 

Instead of dependent and lame? 

Join all the isms and schisms, cir- 
cles and clubs, 
To be used as crutches and canes ; 

Do as directed by all of the dubs, 
But never be bossed by your brains. 



92 



AND OTHER VE RSES 

THE JOINER rContinued) 

It is against the rules of good manners 
To go off and sit down all alone ; 

You must be up and follow the banners, 
With a bow and a scrape to the throne. 

He who sits alone, in fancy may brood, 
His thoughts drift away in infinite 

love; 
His imagery picture the birds in the wood 
The beauties of earth and the heavens 

above. 

Of course he is queer — the others all know, 
Should be taken and carted away 

From the gabfest, where each gets to blow, 
And tell a whole mess of I-say. 



93 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 



I 



THE RECEPTION 

N came the Blondine Lady 

With her lovely golden hair, 
Her step as soft as velvet 

Or the tiger's in his lair; 
Her smile upon the company 

Was so exquisite and rare, 
The gentlemen arose, and made 

Obeisance, her beauty to declare, 

Her ways were so bewitching 

So magnificent and grand. 
The gentlemen of this company 

Could nothing do but stand; 
Bend themselves o'er forward 

Then straighten up again. 
And grin, as any yokel, when, 

His courage lost its sand. 



94 



AND OTHER VE RSES 

THE RECEPTION (Continued) 

Thej^ had read of Cleopatra 

And the beauties of the past, 
Had seen the Fickle Follies 

Who 'tis said were rather fast ; 
But in all their various reading 

And experience of their lives 
They had never known a lady 
The sight of who could drive, 

The breath from out their bodies 
By the dazzle of her eyes. 

When this rare and radiant vision 

Came blooming to the light. 
As if the cereus of a century 

Were in a glorious flight, 
I must say, it was no hero, 

Relieved them from their plight, 
Nor the coming of the day 

As it chases out the night. 



95 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 



THE RECEPTION (Continued) 

But in the introductions, 

In the bowing up and down, 
Or in the, "Pleased to meet ye," 

As this vision swung around, 
Some one did contrive, 

Behind her hand to whisper, 
"If she's a day. She's 

Forty five!" 



96 



AND OTHER VERSES 



MUSIC 

T CANNOT sing the tunes 
•■■ That in the books are found. 
The only Music that I know 

Are Nature's perfect sounds, 
Heard in the summer's glow 
As the balmy eve' comes down. 

Those sounds that gently come 
From, no one knows where; 

We think they are here, 
And then they are there, 

Those soft uncertain tones 
That drive away all care. 



97 



SON GS OF THE AMBRAW 

MUSIC (Continued) 

In the lazy hazy days 

Of weather soft and fine, 
You hear the song birds lay 

Along with the cow bells chime, 
And dream of many a fay 

Who dance to a fairy rhyme. 

And then again in winter time 
When the storm king rides alone, 

A fearless fiend of the frozen north 
On the wing of the snow's white foam. 

'Tis then we hear the martial sound 
Of the wild winds as they roam. 

Or, he sends his legions charging 

down 
In the dark and frozen night, 
As if the cavalry of all past 

time 
Were leading in the fight. 
'Tis then you hear the bugle call, 
Of Nature in her might. 



98 



AND OTHER VERSES 



I 



MADE OVER 

S there no escape, from the self-appointed 

Pharisees, 
Who seek to measure off the rules to govern 

you and me? 
Who say to others, we this to do have no 

desire. 
Hence duty commands us, — great disciples 

of humanity — 
To put you under our restraint and care, 
To do as we, or suffer pains and penalty. 
'Tis true, our forbears, the Pioneers 
Built this Commonwealth, that all might 
Dwell herein in peace and liberty; 
Enjoy the rights of man by nature given, 
That men might be free, and not by others 

driven ; 
Need not conform in every way, by others 

ridden. 



99 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 

MADE OVER (Continued) 

This, the doctrine of the early days, 
Taught by a free and vigorous race, 
Each taught the facts of life to face, 
Knowing he must answer for his mistake ; 

That he could not follow in another's wake, 
On his own conduct must rely; 

Not hide behind the conformer's cry. 
And say, " I only followed on, 

And did what others had come to say 
Was right and just in every way." 



100 



AND OTHER VERSES 

MADE OVER (Continued) 

But those days are of another age, 

Now we are as parrots in a cage; 
To be, as pebbles polished by a lathe, 

Turned and rolled — to think as any slave — 
Made to do and be, as others are, 

In their ignorance and mediocrity must 
share. 
And if perchance, in creation's early dawn, 
Or by some freak of nature, when you were 

born, 
A glittering spark, a ray of light, did find 

A place or lodge within your mind, 
It must be dimmed and driven out, 

To match the minds of others ranged 
about. 



101 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 



THE U. S. A. IN 1917 

HERE Liberty reigns enthroned in the 
heart, 
Will weather the gale, will never 

depart, 
So long as we know what Liberty 

means ; 
Remember that license and sloth from 

within, 
Like a cancerous growth, like a thief 

in the night, 
Can take while we sleep, our Freedom 

and Might. 

O, have we the heart, the Fathers 

knew, 
The spirit and courage of the Mothers, 

too, 
Who sat at the loom and the cloth 

beat out, 
Toiled in the field with hearts that 

were stout, 
When their husbands and sons answered 

the call, 
With pick and shovel, with musket and 

ball? 



102 



AND OTHER VERSES 

THE U. S. A. IN 1917 (Continued) 

Breathe into our bodies the spirit and 
pride, 

Into our souls the courage that did 
guide, 

Those Fathers and Mothers by the At- 
lantic side; 

Who suffered and toiled, their sons gave 
up, 

Rather than drink from the bitter 
cup 

Held to their lips by a kingly group. 

Such was the blood of those Mothers of old, 
For their sons and daughters more pre- 
cious than gold. 

But for the unconquerable spirit and soul 

That the heroes of earth possessed in the 
past, 

We would now bear the yoke, in slavery held 
fast. 

Awake, my Country-men ! Awake from your 
Trance ! 

For Liberty ! On to the Trenches in France ! 



103 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 



THE BUMBLE BEE 

'HE buzzing of the Bumble Bee 

Is no idle dream, 
His lazy aimless innocence 

Is not what it may seem, 
While at his daily labor 

Of sipping off the cream 
From blossoms and from flowers, 

As he passes to and fro 
O'er the field and upland 

Where the fragrant clovers grow. 

You can hear him droning 

A low and tuneless song, 
The key he never changes, 

As he loafs and sips along; 
Unless some alien interferes 

With the business he's engaged. 
Then, if his droning quickens, 

You may know he's in a rage ; 
That its time to hunt for cover 

And prepare to stand a siege. 



104 



AND OTHER VERSES 

THE BUMBLE BEE (Continued) 

His resplendent uniform 

Of yellow on his back, 
Stands out in brilliant luster 

Against his dress of black. 
Like vain and pompous people, 

Who dress in splendid clothes, 
He is burdened with his elTort 

To live the part he shows ; 
Hence, his regal dignity, 

His languor and repose. 

While to you, he may appear, 

A coxcomb and a dude, 
He has the spirit of a cavalier, 

You can not treat him rude; 
Not even with a pleasantry. 

He's never in a merry mood, 
Is for his native country, 

And protects his home and brood. 



105 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 

THE BUMBLE BEE (Continued) 

He is not too proud to fight, 

And, if you kill his people. 
Will strike with all his might. 

He will rally out his soldiers, 
A black and yellow band, 

Will attack you without warning. 
To drive you from his land ; 

Will fight you in the open 
And charge you wild and grand. 

If you meet him in the stubble 
With your face toward the sun. 
He will sting you on the forehead, 

And put you on the run. 
Your eyes he'll glue together. 

And make you lose your sight, 
Will take you under cover 

Where your clothing fits you tight, 
Will soak your epidermis 

And make you look a fright. 



106 



AND OTHER VE RSES 

THE BUMBLE BEE (Continued) 

You will think the Chinese have you 

The stink pots you will smell ; 
— You'd like to call a dentist 

To gas you for a spell — 
For of all the liquid fire, 

Of which you ever read, 
He will soon convince you 

The half has not been said. 

The strong and virile nations 

Of the Eastern Hemisphere, 
May trample on the Chinaman, 

His land may rend and tear; 
The shifty treacherous Mexican 

May shoot your Uncle Sam, 
May steal and murder freely, 

All along the Rio Grande. 



107 



SONGS OF THE AMB RAW 

THE BUMBLE BEE (Continued) 

But if you slap a Bumble Bee 

Or trample on his nest, 
You need not write a letter 

For he will do the rest ; 
He is no spineless pacifist 

If he has a yellow vest. 
His name it may be humble 

But he will do his best 
To protect his people, 

His sovereignty and nest. 



108 



AND OTHER VERSES 



THE GOSSIPS 

'T'WO lazy girls on the bed spread out, 
Like farm hands resting at noon ; 
With hair tied up in gewgaw knots 
To make false ringlets bloom. 

They are all dolled up in kimonos loud, 

Made of calico, cotton or silk, 
That are spotted and mottled like many 

a cloud, 
As it floats in a sky of milk. 

They lay and talk of gossip and song 
And plan new clothes to wear ; 

The tales they tell are so loud and long, 
They're enough to make you swear. 



109 



SONGS OF T HE AM BRAW 

THE GOSSIPS (Continued) 

Yet still they lay and roll around 
And hope for the curl of their hair; 

I am sleepy and ready to go to bed, 
If only they'd hike somewhere. 

The sand man comes and nods to me, 

I blink and look about; 
Suppose in the end I'll have to get 

up, 
And bodily throw them out. 



no 



AND OTHER VERSES 



IN THE BACK SEAT 

'T'HEY took me out and rode me 'round 

In their car so nice and new. 
They bounced me o'er the pavement, 

Like a bounding gazebo; 
I hit the cushion soundly 

Was up and down again, 
It was an imitation of 

"Life on the bounding main." 

They fed her with the throttle, 

They fed her with a spoon, 
They gave her gas in bottle 

And sparked her by the moon. 
Her gears they changed about 

And made her groan and cough, 
Like Dobbin with the heaves 

From clover in his trough. 



Ill 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 



IN THE BACK SEAT (Continued) 

They said, "She is not doing right" 

To this I could agree, 
Her manners were the very worst 

'Twas plain enough to see. 
The assault she made upon my frame 

The way she made me mix. 
In any court would prove her wrong 

And badly out of fix. 



112 



AND OTHER VE/R S E S 



THE CORN BELT 

'HE Corn Belt lies in winding length, 

Across the North of the Central West, 
Fertile and black in its teeming strength, 
The Horn of Plenty its crown and crest. 

The plants in Hne, by twos and fours, 
Peeping forth from their bed of earth 

— Heat waves dance in the noon day hours. 
Guardian spirits, that gave them birth. 

They are toughened by sun, beaten by rain. 
Combed by the harrow of deadly deeds. 

As the toiling farmer shouts in vain, 
To urge the team, in his war on weeds. 

While this war goes on, they gain by strides, 
From the friendly touch of the fertile soil 

Rolled to their feet when the plowboy rides. 
Like a king on his throne, the plows to 
guide. 



113 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 

THE CORN BELT (Continued) 

Kissed by dews in their infant state, 
Nursed by this soil 'neath golden suns, 

Tilled and coaxed early and late. 

With hoe and plow, as the weather comes. 

Refreshed by humid winds of night, 
Winged across these fruitful lands, 

Which put the spirit of dreams to flight 
And sweat the face, as God commands. 

They greet the morn be-gemmed with dew, 
Their banners drooping toward the earth 

O'er horse and plowman passing through. 
And sing to him — Eolian Harps. 

The flaunting Tassel high in air 
Nods and bends in rhythmic time, 

Plume of knights and ladies fair. 
Proud, as a Royal Oriflamme. 



114 



AND OTHER VE/RSES 



SHUCKING TIME 

XJEAR the rattle of the wagons at the rising 

of the sun, 
O'er the hard and frozen ground when the 

shucking has begun 
— Sound of infantry in action with rifle 

and with bomb. 

Golden ears of Sunshine, the fruit of Sum- 
mer's heat, 

Are garnered by this harvester in the wagon 
long and deep, 

And glow in brilliant luster, a rounded 
yellow heap. 



116 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 



SHUCKING TIME (Continued) 

Grain of the age primeval! When the Red- 
man roamed the land, 

His female tilled the maize, showing the 
skill of her hand, 

Pointing the way to a harvest; Food of the 
Western Land! 

Famine will pass by night, the land where 

Corn is King; 
His yellow glow is life and light, will a joyful 

living bring: 
A blessing to all — from the Indian's hand — 
America's favor, and gift to man. 



116 



TO THE CHILDREN 



AND OTHER VERSES 



PLAYING LADY 

SEE the lady all dressed in style 
Who watched her chance for the longest 
while 
To climb high up in the top of the house, 

Soft and still as a timid mouse, 
To the place where she had often seen 

Hung on nails in rafter and beam. 
Flashing garments all red and green 
— Hats of gold and silverine. 

She fastened them on with pin and string ; 

But of all she found, the finest thing 
Was the old moth-eaten breakfast shawl, 

That makes her so big, so fine and tall. 
She has been out in the public street 

Surprising those she happened to meet. 
With the grandest hat there is in town : 

Don't the people all stop and look around ? 



119 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 



Y 



THE REPLY 

OU wrote me in your letter 
That the others and yourself 

Were making plans and plotting 
Like childish little elves, 

With secrecy and cunning 
A surprise: upon yourselves? 

Of course you plainly told me 
In your letter just at hand, 

That the pleasure you were having 
In the work so nicely planned. 

Was a tribute to the Mother 
Of your happy little band. 

But when I caught your meaning, 
Could see you were in doubt, 

I, also, kept on thinking 
"The Mother may find out;" 

And how often all our planning 
Ends, the other way about. 



120 



AND OTHER V ERSES 

THE REPLY (Continued) 

For, as you journey onward 

And learn the ways of life, 
You will find what's here intended 

As a lesson to your wits 
To make you guess the riddle 

Of, whose surprise is this? 

It is doing good for others 

For those you love so well. 
That's the secret of your pleasure 

And the riddle I would tell; 
Like the secret of this festal 

That you wrote me, "don't you tell." 



121 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 



THE FAIRY 

'HE secret is out and the truth 

I will tell. 
This timid sprite, who came at 

night, 
And cast her winning spell, 
Is one of the faries, you see. 

Her eyes are blue as a summer sky. 
They twinkle as bright and free, 
As the glint on the water that 

lies in a pool. 
In the shade of a forest tree. 

The rays of the sun have kissed 

her hair, 
Its curls and curlecues. 
Given it a tinge of the harvest 

times, 
The yellow and golden hues. 



122 



AND OTHER VERSES 

THE FAIRY (Continued) 

She cheers, with laughter and 

a baby's song, 
If the tune strays off, or the 

time goes wrong, 
Like a good little soldier she 

carries on, 
And never knows when she skips 

a note, 
Or one sticks fast in her dear 

little throat. 

She rules as a Fairy Queen, 
Who convenes her court in the 

early morn, 
Before the sun is seen; 
And adjourns, by the nod of her 

head. 
When she has to be caught and 

put to bed ; 
Shipped to the Land of Dreams ! 



123 



SONGS OF THEAMBRAW 



M 



THE OLD BELL COW 

OTHER says, the time has come 
To be up an' away, — the cows bring 

home. 
No difference how fine the game 

may be, 
No difference if I am just "in free," 
When Mother says the time has come, 
That's the end of present fun. 
That Old Bell Cow with the strap 

on 'er neck 
Is smarter than most of the folks 

on the crick; 
She knows how to hide in the heel 

of the day. 
As the sun goes down at the end of 

my play. 



124 



AND OTHER VERSES 

THE OLD COW BELL (Continued) 

The time is short an' the cows 

must be found, 
An' driven in or the dark will come 

down, 
The crickets will cheep, the owls 

will hoot, 
The noise of night will scare you to 

boot. 
So I fix the rag on my old sore toe 
An' take through the woods to the 

valley below ; 
I go hippity-hop, but not very slow, 
Thinkin' the while how big I'll grow 
And how I'll chase that Old Bell Cow. 



125 



SONGS OF THE AMB RAW 

THE OLD COW BELL (Continued) 

I see a snake in the grass slide past, 
An' jump so high my breath sticks fast; 
A toad hops out, in the httle old 

path, 
An' I think I'm bit by that snake at last. 
Then I get back to the work on hand, 
To find the slickest old cow in the land, 
I guess where she is an' guess agin ; 
Is she down by the crick in the horse 

weeds tall, 
With the others 'round her just like a 

wall, 
Or over the hill where the timber is 

small? 



126 



AND OTHER VE RSES 

THE OLD COW BELL (Continued) 

The big cow fly an' green-heads so mean, 
The skeeters an' gnats an' any old thing. 
May bite an' eat 'er, an' mak'er bleed 
— She'll stand like a stone while the 

others feed! 
I hark an' listen, an' try my best, 
To hear the bell, or eny uv the rest ; 
I run an' race 'till out of breath 
— The darned old cows are still as death ! 

That Old Bell Cow, I know her well, 
She'd sooner die an' go to Hell 
Than jingle for once that old cow bell. 
I know it's bad to think that way 
An's one of the things I musn't say; 
But the sun is down an' the dark has 

come, 
An' I can't find the cows to take them 

home! 



127 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 



THE OLD COOK STOVE 

0, THAT Old Cook Stove, with the hump 
on its back, 
That stood in the corner o'er many a 

crack 
In the floor of the kitchen, — all rusty 
and black. 

0, that Old Cook Stove with its heat 

and glow, 
When Winter's cold winds would sigh 

and blow, 
As Mother cooked the evening meal, 
The comfort and pleasure I then could 

feel. 

As I sat on the wood piled high 

and dry. 
No king on his throne, so happy as 

I, 

With Mother there to tell me the why 
Of all I might ask, just she and I. 



128 



AND OTHER VERSES 



W 



LITTLE CAPER 

HEN I was a little boy 

A pesky little tot, 
I got a little dog 

All covered o'er with spots; 
A little speckled dog, 

A regular polka-dot. 

He liked a little boy 

Was glad to run and play, 
So I called him Little Caper, 

He was kindy built that way, 
And was always ready 

To bark so loud and gay. 

He always went with me 

At any time of day, 
And follered close behind 

When I would run away. 
And hide among the hazel, 

Or in the timber stray. 



129 



SONGS OF T HE AMBRAW 

LITTLE CAPER (Continued) 

They would hustle through the 

forest, 
Through the bushes dark and low, 
Peering for my tracks, 

If it happened there was snow. 
Sometimes he'd run around 

And caper in the path, 
Then they'd foller him and find 

me; 
I could almost hear him laugh! 

Some big men were mean to me. 

And treated Caper bad; 
Said they's goin' to kill him, 

Just to make me mad, 
To get me in a tantrum, 

'Cause then I talked so bad. 



130 




■~^''%'^^. 






AND OTHER V ERSES 

LITTLE CAPER (Continued) 

Poor little Caper, like all others 

We used to know and love, 
A sickness, it just got him, 

For av/hile he sorter strove; 
But he could not last forever. 

Same as loved ones, that we know. 

One day when I had aiger 

So bad I couldn't move. 
He died, out in the medder, 

Where the men were making hay. 
And when I asked about him 

They said he'd gone away. 

I went out behind the cabin 

Where so often we did play, 
And the tears they kept a comin' 

'Cause Little Caper'd gone away. 
And even now at fifty 

When my hair is thin and gray, 
The tears they keep a comin' 

'Cause, so many's gone away. 



131 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 



H 



CHARLES EDWARD 

E was a Texas Ranger 
A mighty man of fame; 

He came from San Jacinto, 

Charles Edward was his name. 

He roamed along the border 
O'er prairie break and hill, 

Across the sandy desert, 
Through miles of chaparral. 

Braved the torrid region 

Along the Rio Grande, 
And faced the freezing Norther, 

As well as desert sand. 



132 



AND OTH ER VERSES 

CHARLES EDWARD (Continued) 

He knew the Big Bend country 

With the Greaser sneaking through, 

As sailors know the ocean 
Or the farmer knows the dew. 

Like the heroes of the Alamo 

He sought for conquest new ; 
Was wild for any venture, 

His courage brave and true. 

Was never known to weaken 
In the State of the Lonely Star; 

Never failed or faltered, 

'Till he came up north too far. 

When first we came to know him 

He had quit that tragic land, 
Where the wind is always windy 

And the air is filled with sand. 



133 



SONGS OF THE AM BRAW 

CHARLES EDWARD (Continued) 

Was then in Illinois, 

The Prairie State of fame, 
To visit his old Auntie 

And her husband blind and lame. 

He could stand against the Greaser, 
Meet the north wind's coldest blast; 

When it came to Auntie's cooking 
His stomach bucked and "passed." 

It is very sad to see, 

A thing we hate to tell. 
But this gallant Texas Ranger 

Is not feeling very well. 

The pie crust and the peaches. 

The frosting on the cake, 
Paralyze his courage — 

Are keeping him awake. 



134 



AND OTHER VERSES 



A 



THE FIDDLER 

WAY from us, off to school, 

Where so much is taught by rule, 

Our little girl went her way. 
Finally returned today. 

What do you suppose she did. 
Minding all her teacher said? 

Did she learn to cook and bake, 
iVLix the bread and stir the cake, 

How to mend, to wash and sweep, 
How a house to clean and keep? 

Not with such things did she meddle. 
She was learning how to fiddle. 

She's a fiddler out of sight! 

Her bow goes so smooth and light. 
As it glides across the strings 

How her fingers make them sing. 
As she moves them up and down, 

While the bow goes round and round. 



135 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 

THE FIDDLER (Continued) 

O, Grand Opera it must go! 

Come and hear "Old Arkansaw," 
When our girl she takes the bow ; 

"The Devil's Dream" — tunes you know 
From her fiddle sweetly flow 

And the wiggle gets your toe. 

While she has learned to fiddle, 
The strings to touch and play, 

The bow to swing and handle 
With a most artistic sway. 

Her foot, the time don't keep 
In the good old-fashioned way. 

So we'll send her back to school. 
Some more lessons she must take, 

She must be a classic fiddler, 
If she never learns to bake ; 

It's artistic stuff we're after. 
That is how to take the cake ! 



136 



AND T H E R VERSES 



THREE LITTLE GIRLS 

""HERE were Three Little Girls, 

The best in the land, 
We thought they were pearls 
And each very grand. 

The two who were smaller 
Were about my own size. 

Loved to whoop and to holler 
And thought me quite wise. 

They would squeal and cry out 

In a very high key. 
As each one climbed up 

And sat on a knee. 

Would ride shanks hoss 

And yell with delight, 
Then cry for a toss 

To give them a fright. 



137 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 



THREE LITTLE GIRLS (Continued) 

When they came to our house 
Down the old beaten track, 

They would not go home 
Except pick a pack. 

So we toted them 'round 

One at a time, 
Loved them to death, 

And thought they were fine. 

We humored their whims, 

Their every caprice. 
And hope when we're old 

They will bring us much peace. 

If they forget us 

And wander away, 
We will always remember 

They once brightened our 
day. 



138 



AND OTHER V E R S~E 



THE TRANSGRESSORS 



w 



E found the finest place to swim 
Way off from home beneath 

The water-elm, and the sycamore limb ; 
In waters dark and deeply blue, 

With spots where sunshine trickled 
through 

— The ripples gurgling down below. 

W^illiam could not walk 

Nor, could we leave him home 

For he would tell, and talk 

Of pleasures we had ventured on ; 

Then parental wrath would fall 
As retribution on us all. 

We took the trundle wagon 
That was solid in every part 

Right into, and made a cart — 
A chariot to haul him on, 

So he could ride and drive 
As any Jehu then alive. 



139 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 



THE TRANSGRESSORS (Continued) 

Two boys made the team, to haul 
This conveyance to the stream. 
They pranced, they turned and 

twisted 'round, 
In great pretense they pawed the 

ground, 
With feet ail brown and bare 
— Except a toe or ankle here and 

there 
Where a rag was tied around. 

Every feller held his breath 

'Till the forest had been made. 

Across the clearing we did "skin," 
That was where we had to win ; 

If we made the woods alright 
We were safely out of sight. 

Each day we made the run, 
Had scads and heaps of fun. 

It was the only thing we ever done 
And not be caught, to judgment 
brought. 

How it happened, I don't know. 
Unless, we were frightened so. 



140 



AND O T.H ER VERSES 



TAG 

'T'HE game of Tag is a wonderful 

play, 
Is played by the blossoms in early 

May, 
When birds hold forth and Spring 

has sway, 
Tagging each other from day to 

day. 

The children follow each other 

around, 
In gambol and frolic are always 

found, 
No one knows where e'er they're 

bound, 
Tagging each other, 'round and 

'round. 



141 



SONGS OF THE AMBRAW 

TAG (Continued) 

The youths and maids are just the 

same, 
To seek each other, the greatest 

game, 
To love and play is more than 

fame; 
Tagging along at the same old 

game. 

They will go to church in a little 

while 
Walking together in double file, 
So fearful neither will dare to 

smile. 
And Tag each other at the end of 

the aisle. 



142 



